ISABELA CITY, Basilan – The
provincial government of Basilan through the Office of the Provincial
Veterinarian (OPV) has given out some 50 heads of livestock to farmers in
Basilan that will boost farmers’ productivity and the local livestock industry.
The Office
of the Provincial Veterinarian said that animals dispersed included 10 heads of
cattle, 10 heads of carabao and 30 heads of goat to livestock farmers of Hji.
Muhtamad, Akbar, Unkaya Pukan, and Lantawan municipalities and to Isabela and
Lamitan cities.
This was
conducted last March 28, 2013 at OPV Tabuk, Isabela City, Basilan.
Veterinary
Dr. Surhayda T. Aguisanda of Basilan said that the aim of carabao dispersal was
to support and provide farmers the main source of draft animals so as to help
them in their farm activities.
She added
that the office also supported cattle-raisers to give them extra income and to
help meet the urgent demand for high protein diet.
She said
that part of the program is goat dispersal, “which aims to support development
of dairy goat industry so as to have more nutritious dairy food to lessen
malnutrition and increase goat production in the province.”
The OPV
hopes that the program would have significant impact on the farmers of Basilan
especially along poverty alleviation and improved standard of living. The
program also supports the local livestock industry towards economic development
of Basilan Province.
Aguisanda
stressed that with sufficient supply of beef for local market, this will
eventually lower malnutrition and at the same time generate of local
employment. (OPV/PIA9)